Exploring Life & Business with Hilary Deckard Healy of Pasadena Perinatal Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hilary Deckard Healy.

Hi Hilary, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always been emotionally sensitive and intuitive. Even as a child, I found myself picking up on the emotions of others and drawn toward creative outlets and conceptual ideas. More than anything, I have been fascinated by how people work—how life experiences and pivotal events shape who we are and who we become.

In my undergraduate studies, I explored a wide gamut of interests, including writing, poetry, religion, and gerontology. While I held deep values of community and service, these interests didn’t immediately point to a clear career path. After college, I moved to Pasadena to serve in Northwest neighborhoods through an Urban Ministry program. To support myself during that time, I took a job as a case manager at a community mental health clinic serving adults 65 and older. It was a profound introduction to the world of therapy; I loved working alongside others to help them improve their lives and reach their full potential.

That experience was my “aha” moment. I realized this was my calling, returned to graduate school for a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), and have been serving diverse communities as a therapist ever since.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been anything but linear, full of both clarity and bumpy transitions. While my early experience as a case manager made the decision to enter the mental health field an easy one, the path through graduate school and licensure was a true marathon of requirements. Maintaining a deep connection to my clients was essential for staying motivated through those more demanding years. Navigating various clinical settings since then has offered a mix of challenges and rewards, each contributing to a rich, multi-faceted career journey.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
While the practice was originally founded with a focus on perinatal support and couples therapy, I have joined to expand our care into the next stages of family life. I specialize in supporting children, teens, and young adults, as well as providing parent support—with a particular focus on neurodiversity, trauma, and mood disorders. My work includes individual and family therapy, as well as dynamic group therapy specifically for adolescents and teens.

What were you like growing up?
I was a “good kid,” but complex—deeply intuitive and emotionally sensitive from a young age. Relationships were always my anchor; I’ve always been a quality-time person who profoundly values family. My childhood was a blend of creative play and time spent outdoors. Whether I was immersed in art, writing, and reading, or running through the woods and swimming, those experiences solidified a lifelong connection to nature that still renews and grounds me today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pasadenaperinataltherapy.com/hilary-deckard/

Image Credits
Daniel Healy for building images and my portrait image at the door